Rest in Peace, Bishop René Gracida (June 9, 1923 – May 1, 2026)!
From Diocese of Corpus ChristiAt the age of 102, Bishop René Henry Gracida passed away on the morning of May 1, 2026. Bishop Mario Avilés wrote, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Bishop Emeritus René Henry Gracida. He served as the fifth Bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi from 1983 until 1997. We are deeply grateful for his faithful service as our shepherd for 14 years.” Previously, he was appointed Bishop of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee in Florida (1975–1983) and as an auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami in Florida (1971–1975).
Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 9, 1923, Gracida was the second child of Enrique J. Gracida Carrizosa, a Mexican architect and engineer, and Mathilde Derbes, a fifth-generation French American Cajun. His great uncle was a vicar general of a diocese in Mexico. As a teenager, Gracida was fascinated by the Jesuit martyrs portrayed in James Fenimore Cooper’s novel The Last of the Mohicans.
During World War II, Bishop Gracida flew 32 missions in the US Army Air Corps, first as a tail gunner, then as a flight engineer, in the 303rd Air Expeditionary Group. After the war, he enrolled at the University of Houston, where he earned a Bachelor of Architecture. After graduation, Gracida worked as an architect for several years.
In 1951, Bishop Gracida entered the Order of Saint Benedict and became a monk at Saint Vincent Archabbey in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. Required to choose a religious name, Gracida selected René Goupil, a French Jesuit lay missionary. He professed simple vows in 1953 and solemn vows in 1956. He was ordained a deacon in 1958. During this period, Gracida attended Saint Vincent College and Saint Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.
Bishop Gracida was ordained into the priesthood for the Order of Saint Benedict on May 23, 1959. In 1961, after a dispute over plans for a new residence for the Order, Gracida was incardinated from the Benedictine Order to the Archdiocese of Miami.
On December 6, 1971, Gracida was appointed by Pope Paul VI as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Miami and titular bishop of Masuccaba. Pope Paul VI appointed Gracida as the first bishop of the new Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee on October 1, 1975; he was installed on November 6, 1975. In 1978, he was granted a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from St. Leo College in St. Leo, Florida.
On May 19, 1983, Pope John Paul II appointed Gracida as the fifth bishop of the Diocese of Corpus Christi. He was installed on July 11, 1983.
During his time in office, the Diocese increased its involvement in communications by establishing two radio stations and a television station, which became part of what is now known as Diocesan Telecommunications. He also extended the reach of Diocesan ministries into areas in need of attention and continued to establish parishes and missions, especially in the colonias of Laredo. He built a Youth camp and developed retreat houses in Laredo and Corpus Christi. He further developed the Academy of Studies and expanded its reach throughout the Diocese through the Pastoral Institute for continuing Adult Education and Formation. It was at the beginning of his administration that the final structure of the Kenedy Memorial Foundation was determined.
Jill Hundley, who has worked in the chancery for more than 40 years, remembers him: “He was a gentleman, very spiritual, but also very determined.” As an architect, he reviewed all the diocese’s construction plans. “We were blessed to have him for so many years.” Deacon Michael Mantz shared, “He ordained me as a deacon in 1993 – what an interesting man.”
Bishop Gracida retired on April 1, 1997. He remained active and was an avid hunter and fisher. His funeral arrangements will be announced at a later time.